Big Stone County's groundwater contains arsenic, chloride, fluoride, iron, lead, manganese, nitrate, PFOA, sulfate, and uranium at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contamination levels are serious and demand your attention.
The rock underneath this county naturally releases many of these minerals into the water. Agricultural activity and road salt add nitrate and chloride from the surface down into wells. Iron and manganese dissolve from the bedrock as water moves through it over time.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, with very high iron and very high sulfate as the dominant minerals. The bedrock here contains these minerals, and as water passes through for years, it picks them up and carries them into your well. These characteristics show up across most wells in Big Stone County.
Wells in Big Stone County contain arsenic, chloride, fluoride, lead, uranium, and nitrate at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Arsenic and uranium can damage organs and increase cancer risk over time. Lead harms children's brain development and learning. Nitrate is especially dangerous for infants and can cause serious illness. Fluoride at elevated levels can affect bone and tooth development. Chloride at high levels raises blood pressure in some people.
The very hard water in county wells will leave rust stains on fixtures and laundry. You'll notice scale buildup on faucets and inside pipes. Soap won't lather well, and dishes may spot. The water may taste salty or metallic. Extremely hard water shortens the lifespan of water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines.
We recommend getting your well tested right away. Every well is different, and your water could have higher or lower contamination than what's common here. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel costs between $200 and $400 and is the only way to know what you're drinking so you can treat it properly. Treatment options like reverse osmosis systems, water softeners, and specific filters can address multiple concerns.
Not sure if your well is affected? Get certified results in 5–7 days.
Test Your Well Water with Tap Score →| Contaminant | Samples ⓘ | % Above MCL ⓘ | Distribution ⓘ | Confidence ⓘ | Risk ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron | 34 | 76% | Moderate | High | |
| Manganese | 34 | 76% | Moderate | High | |
| Sulfate | 36 | 69% | Moderate | High | |
| Arsenic | 9 | 33% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 4 | 25% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 4 | 25% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Lead | 9 | 11% | Low | Moderate ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 43 | 7% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Nitrate | 30 | 3% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Fluoride | 34 | 3% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 14 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 18 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 33 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 18 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 2 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ |
MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level (EPA limit for public water; used as benchmark for private wells). Distribution shows % of sampled wells in each concentration band. Methodology.
* Microbial contaminants (E. coli, coliform) reflect only samples from the last 10 years.
Data shows potential risk — a certified test confirms whether your water is affected.
Order a Tap Score Test →Population-level CDC data. Not individual risk prediction.
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